U.S. patent application number 10/697539 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for drive nut and screw for seat adjuster.
Invention is credited to Garrido, Pascal E..
Application Number | 20040089784 10/697539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300230 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040089784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garrido, Pascal E. |
May 13, 2004 |
Drive nut and screw for seat adjuster
Abstract
A vehicle seat linkage assembly includes a rod. The linkage has
a first link with an aperture and a second link adjacent but spaced
from the first link and having a slot. Additionally, a drive nut is
adjacent the rod. The drive nut has a body portion, one end,
another end and an aperture engaging the rod. The one end is
inserted into the slot and the another end is inserted into the
aperture. When the nut is disposed into the slot and aperture, the
nut is rotated to engage the slot and the aperture so that the nut
cannot be disengaged from the first link and the second link.
Inventors: |
Garrido, Pascal E.;
(Kilworthy, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Casimir R. Kiczek
Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.
2791 Research Drive
Rochester Hills
MI
48309
US
|
Family ID: |
46300230 |
Appl. No.: |
10/697539 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10697539 |
Oct 29, 2003 |
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10015445 |
Dec 8, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2002/0236 20130101;
B60N 2/0232 20130101; B60N 2/0224 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/424 |
International
Class: |
F16M 013/00 |
Claims
The invention as claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat linkage assembly including a threaded rod
defining a longitudinal axis, the linkage assembly comprising, in
combination: a first link having a portion forming an enclosed
aperture; a second link adjacent but spaced away from the first
link, the second link having a portion forming a slot, the slot
having a circular portion, the circular portion and the enclosed
aperture defining a lateral axis extending between the first link
and the second link; and a drive nut threadably engaging the rod,
the drive nut having one lateral projection and another lateral
projection opposite the one projection and a protion engaging the
rod, the drive nut and rod being movable so that the longitudinal
axis is positioned relative to the lateral axis to insert the one
projection into the slot and to position the another projection
adjacent but spaced away from aperture while one lateral projection
remains in the slot, the another projection having a width
substantially the same as the bore of the aperture, thereafter
moving the another projection to insert the another projection into
the aperture while the one lateral projection remains the slot.
2. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot and
the aperture are in alignment with one another.
3. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot having
a portion forming an arcuate portion and a guide portion in
communication with the arcuate portion.
4. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the another
projection has a shoulder portion adjacent the bore.
5. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot
further has a pair of opposing straight sided portions in
communication with the circular portion, the circular portion
forming first axis of rotation and the aperture forming a second
axis of rotation that defines the lateral axis between the first
link and the second link.
6. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim wherein the longitudinal
axis and lateral axis are substantially normal to each other when
the one lateral projection is inserted into the slot.
7. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second
lateral projection has a shoulder portion adjacent a circular
portion, the circular portion being sized to fit into the aperture,
the shoulder portion is adjacent the aperture in the second link
when the second lateral projection is inserted into the second
link.
8. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive nut
has an internal threaded portion, the rod having an external
threaded portion.
9. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosed
aperture has an inner arcuate portion forming at least 85% of the
inner surface of the aperture.
10. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosed
aperture has an inner portion forming at least 90% of the inner
surface of the aperture.
11. A method of connecting a first seat member to a second seat
member and adapted to move relative to one another to adjust their
relative positions by a threaded rod defining a longitudinal axis,
the method comprising: providing a threaded drive nut adjacent to
one of the first seat member and the second seat member, the drive
nut having one lateral projection end, another lateral projection
end opposite the one projection end and a threaded portion engaging
the rod, providing a pair of spaced apart links on one of the first
seat member and the second seat member, each of the pair of links
having an aperture and forming a planar surface and transverse axis
extending between each of the planar surfaces of each of the pair
of spaced apart links; moving the drive nut and rod so that the
longitudinal axis is positioned so as to insert the one lateral
projection end into the slot and the another lateral projection end
is positioned in an adjacent but spaced away position relative to
the aperture while the one lateral projection end remains in the
slot, the another lateral projection end having width substantially
the same as the bore of the aperture; moving the another projection
end relative to the transverse axis to insert the another
projection end into the aperture while the one lateral projection
end remains in the slot; and rotating the drive nut to engage each
aperture in each of the pair of spaced apart links so that the
drive nut is captured in and prevented from disengaging each of the
pair of links when the drive nut is activated to move one of the
first and second frame members relative to one another.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the another lateral
projection end has a shoulder portion and a circular adjacent the
shoulder portion, the circular portion being sized to fit into the
aperture, the shoulder portion is adjacent the aperture in the
second link when the second lateral projection is inserted into the
second link.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the aperture in on
lateral projection is enclosed, the other lateral projection is a
key hole slot opening, the opening has a circular portion and a
pair of opposing straight sided portions in communication with the
circular portion.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the aperture in one
projection has a key hole slot opening and a circular portion, the
opening has a pair of opposing straight sided portions in
communication with the circular portion, the one end and the
opposite end of the drive nut each have a portion forming a
circular section with a pair of opposite straight sides, the width
between the pair of opposite sides being of size to pass through
the pair of opposing straight sided portions of the slot opening in
the one of the projection end and into the enclosed aperture in the
other of the projection end and the engagement of the drive nut or
the threaded nut prevent the drive end from moving laterally to
disengage the enclosed aperture.
15. A seat adjuster having first and second frame members adapted
to move relative to one another to adjust the position of the first
frame member relative to the second frame member, the adjuster
comprising, in combination: a first link attached to the first
frame, the first link having a portion forming an enclosed
aperture; a second link attached to the first frame in a spaced
apart relationship to the first link, the second link having a
portion forming a slot, the first link and the second link are in
alignment with each other and defining an alignment axis and a
laterally extending axis that is normal to the alignment axis and
between the first link and second link; and a drive nut adjacent
one of the first link and the second link, the drive nut having one
end, another end and portion extending between the one end and the
another end, the portion defining a longitudinal axis, the drive
nut being positioned offset the laterally extending axis to engage
the slot, then while the drive nut is engaged to the slot, moving
the drive nut relative to the laterally extending axis to insert
the another end into the enclosed aperture, wherein after the drive
nut is disposed in both the slot and aperture, the nut is rotated
to prevent the one end of the drive nut from disengaging the slot
while the another end is captured in the enclosed aperture.
16. The seat adjuster as claimed in claim 15 wherein the slot has a
portion forming a circular portion and a pair of opposing straight
ended portions in communication with the circular portion, the
circular portion and the enclosed aperture form a transverse axis
that is substantially normal to the alignment axis.
17. A linkage assembly adapted for use with a vehicle seat frame,
the linkage assembly comprising, in combination: a first member
adjacent the seat frame; a second member adjacent but spaced away
from the first member, the first member has a first aperture and
the second member has a second aperture, the first aperture and the
second aperture each has a portion forming an inner peripheral
surface and defining a transverse axis extending between the first
member and the second member; and a drive nut adjacent the first
and second members, the drive nut has a body portion, a
longitudinal axis extending there through and a pair of ends
extending laterally of the longitudinal axis, the drive nut is
positioned such that the longitudinal axis is moved offset relative
to the transverse axis and the one end is inserted into the first
aperture and then, while the one end remains engaged in the
aperture, the other end is moved laterally so as to be inserted
into the second aperture, to prevent the withdrawal of the other
end of the drive nut from the second aperture and then the drive
nut is rotated to capture the one end in the first aperture.
18. A linkage assembly according to claim 17 further comprising a
drive motor connected to the drive nut; and a linkage assembly as
claimed in claim 1 wherein the enclosed aperture has a portion
forming an arcuate inner surface in the first link to engage a
section of one end of the drive nut to encapsulate and lock the
drive nut therein.
19. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein one of the
pair of end of the drive nut has a circular section with at least
one flattened side, the circular section is of a size to engage a
portion of the first aperture.
20. A linkage assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the second
aperture has a portion forming an inner peripheral surface in the
first member, the inner surface includes an arcuate portion forming
at least 90% of the inner surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/015,445, filed on Dec. 8, 2001.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a drive nut a drive screw
for a seat adjuster and in particular to a nut and screw of a
vehicle seat assembly that provides ease of assembly and low noise
during operation.
[0005] Power seat adjuster are a popular option on many automotive
vehicles and are frequently offered as standard equipment on higher
priced vehicles. Such power seat adjusters are primarily used on
the driver's seat and sometimes, on the front passenger seat of the
vehicle to provide selective horizontal fore and aft and vertical
movement of the seat as well to provide a comfortable seating
position to suit each occupant's preference.
[0006] Such power seat adjusters typically carry a support frame,
which supports the seat bottom and in some applications the seat
back of the vehicle seat. The seat support frame is mounted on
first and second, spaced track assemblies, each formed of an upper
track, which is connected to the seat support frame and is slidably
mounted on a lower track anchored to the vehicle floor. A drive
mechanism typically includes a bi-directional electric motor, which
rotates a pair of drive shafts extending outward from the motor to
a gear assembly or box mounted on each upper track. In one
arrangement, each gearbox rotates a lead screw extending
longitudinally below each upper track. A drive block is fixedly
mounted to each lower track and threadingly receives the lead screw
to cause reciprocal, horizontal movement of the upper track and the
attached seat support frame upon selective energization of the
drive motor and the drive shafts.
[0007] Similar drive mechanisms are provided for vertical (up and
down) adjustment of the seat support frame and, in a seat adjuster
having a seat recliner adjustment mechanism, for angularly
adjusting the position of the seat back with respect to the seat
bottom. The vertical drive mechanism may also include separate
front and rear edge seat adjustment drive mechanisms for
selectively tilting the front rear edges of the seat bottom
independent of each other as well as simultaneously to raise and
lower the entire vehicle seat or, in some applications, only the
seat bottom or cushion.
[0008] Each vertical and recliner drive mechanism also includes a
drive motor having a rotatable output shaft connected to a gear
assembly either directly in the case of the front and rear vertical
drive mechanisms or by means of two shafts extending a from single
motor to separate gear assemblies mounted on each upper track or on
the seat support frame in the case of a seat recliner drive
mechanism.
[0009] As the various drive motors are mounted between the track
assemblies, the drive motor output shafts and drive shafts
connected thereto are typically oriented perpendicular to the axis
of the associated lead screw. In order to transmit rotation and
drive force between the output shaft of the drive motor and the
drive shaft connected thereto to the 90 degree offset lead screw,
each gear assembly box typically includes a worm gear, which is
insert molded on one end of the associated lead screw. A worm is
rotatably mounted in the gear box housing in meshing engagement
with the worm gear and is connected to either one of the drive
motor output shafts or to one of the drive shafts so as to rotate
the worm gear and thereby the lead screw upon bi-directional
energization of the selective drive motor. Thus, each drive motor
requires a separate gear assembly for each lead assembly for each
lead screw driven by the drive motor.
[0010] The rigid connection between the gears in the gear assembly,
the drive shaft motor output shaft, the drive shaft, the lead screw
and drive block also leads to additional problems during assembly
and operation of a power seat adjuster. It is inevitable in the
manufacture assembly of a mechanical mechanism, such as power seat
adjuster, that dimensional conditions, such as concentricity, TIR,
and linear discrepancies from nominal design dimensions, can and
typically do occur. These dimensional conditions, without
correction, can cause various problems in the operation of the
power seat adjuster, such as poor breakaway from a stop position,
slow operation of the power seat adjuster in extreme temperatures,
excessive wear of the components of the power seat adjuster, uneven
operation of the power seat adjuster.
[0011] Another aspect of a power seat adjuster, which is critical
in the use of a power seat adjuster, particularly during excessive
forces generated during a vehicle collision, is the requirement for
seat integrity. As the occupant's seat belt is frequently attached
by a seat belt buckle mounting bracket directly to one of the upper
tracks of a power seat adjuster to enable the seat belt to move
fore and aft with the upper track, any forces exerted on the
occupant during a vehicle collision are transmitted directly though
the seat belt buckle mounting bracket to the upper track. These
forces cause the upper track to move upward with respect to the
lower track and, in the event of excessive force, could lead to a
complete pullout or separation of the upper track and the attached
seat from the lower track. In order to prevent track separation,
seat integrity requirements have necessitated the design of the
components of a power seat adjuster to resist track separation.
[0012] Several attempts have been made to provide adapters that
meet the above requirements. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,172,601, 5,467,957, and 5,575,531, a drive nut with a pair of
opposing flat sided legs with rounded edges that engages a bracket
having wings with a pair of opposing open ended keyhole slots is
disclosed. The slots have an arcuate portion in communication with
a pair of opposing flat sides. The legs are inserted into slots and
then rotated so that the rounded edges of the legs engage the
arcuate portion of the slots. However, the load carrying capability
of the wings is reduced because of the size of the opening in the
slots required to insert the legs. As a result, these designs are
not always able to resist separation forces on the seat and are
prone to structural failure by allowing the slots to bend and the
legs to separate from the slots causing separation of the seat.
[0013] Another attempt to solve the above problem is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,860,319. This design uses a round block drive device to
fit into a housing. A resilient member is used to cushion or
isolate the drive block from the housing. The resilient member
co-acts with holes formed in the side walls of the housing to
permit relative motion of the threaded interconnected lead screw
and drive block with the housing. This design is expensive and
difficult to assembly and has not been widely used in vehicle seat
applications.
[0014] Thus, the vehicle seat assemblies and, in particular seat
assemblies having power adjustment capability, it is desirable to
provide an adjuster, which produces low noise, emissions during
operation prevents seat separation and is simple and inexpensive to
make. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an adjuster that can
be easily assembled to reduce assembly time and errors.
[0015] The present invention seeks to solve most of the above
problems with a simple, quiet, easy to assemble drive nut that is
structurally superior to known present designs.
[0016] A vehicle seat linkage assembly including a threaded rod
defining a longitudinal axis. The linkage includes a first link
having a portion forming an enclosed aperture. A second link is
adjacent but spaced away from the first link. The second link
having a portion forming a slot. The slot has a circular portion.
The circular portion and the enclosed aperture define a lateral
axis extending between the first link and the second link.
Additionally, a drive nut threadably engages the rod. The drive nut
has one lateral projection, another lateral projection opposite the
one projection and a portion engaging the rod. The drive nut and
rod are moveable so that the longitudinal axis is positioned
relative to the lateral axis to insert the one projection into the
slot and to position the another projection adjacent but spaced
away from the aperture while the one lateral projection remains in
the slot. The another projection has a width substantially the same
as the base of the aperture. Thereafter moving the another
projection relative to insert the another projection into the
aperture while the one lateral projection remains in the slot.
[0017] The present invention is advantageous in that the drive nut
engages a slot on one side and an aperture on the other side so
that the drive nut is prevented from being withdrawn from the slot
and the aperture. Furthermore, the drive nut is easy to assemble,
inexpensive to make and produces law noise.
[0018] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more
detailed description of the various preferred embodiments, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention
provides a significant advance in the technology and art of vehicle
seat linkage assemblies. Additional features and advantages of
various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of
the detailed description provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side partial sectional view of a seat adjuster
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drive
member;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drive nut;
[0022] FIG. 3a is a side view of the drive nut;
[0023] FIG. 3b is a top view of the drive nut;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing the
drive nut inserted into the slot in one support prior to insertion
into the aperture in the other support;
[0025] FIG. 4a is a top view along 4a-4a in FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG 4 in, which the
drive nut is inserted into the slot in one support and the aperture
in the other support; and
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 in, which the
drive nut has been rotated to engage both supports in a fully
assembled position.
[0028] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various preferred features illustrative of the
basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of
the seat adjuster assembly as disclosed here, including, for
example, specific dimensions of the drive nut and its associated
bracket, will be determined in part by the particular intended
application and use environment. Certain feature of the illustrated
embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to
facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular,
thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of
illustration. All references to direction and position, unless
otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the drive member
in the seat structure illustrated in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The seat structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a seat
adjuster with the drive nut and screw of the present invention in
the seat adjuster. Seat structure 10 includes a lower rail or frame
member 12 and an upper rail of frame member 14 that is slidably
carried by the lower rail 12 to move the seat fore and aft relative
to a motor vehicle in which the seat is mounted. Lower rail 12
includes a pair of support legs 16 that are adapted to mount seat
structure 10 to a motor vehicle floor pan. A seat riser 18 is
fastened to the upper rail. The seat cushion and seat back are
mounted to the seat riser, which is moved by drive member 20.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2-6 drive member 20 includes electric
drive motor 30 for drive rod spindle 40 and drive nut 50 in bracket
60. Motor 30 is mounted to seat riser 18 by bracket 32. Motor 30 is
connected to transmission assembly 34 by a conventional fastening
means. Optionally, a flexible cable is used to connect the motor 30
to transmission assembly 34. Transmission assembly 34 includes a
worm (not shown) that engages with the and drives a worm gear (not
shown). The worm gear is molded onto and integral with the drive
rod 40 that is preferably threaded.
[0031] As will be described in greater detail below, the drive rod
40 is engaged for relative movement with a drive nut 50. Drive nut
50 is, in turn, mounted to bracket 60 that is fixed to the lower
frame member, by conventional fastening means including welding.
Rotation of the drive rod while drive nut 50 is held against
rotation by bracket 60 produces an axial travel of drive nut 50
relative to the drive rod 40. Drive rod 40 is coupled to the upper
frame member 14 through the transmission assembly 34 and bracket 32
while drive nut 50 is carried by lower frame member 12. Rotation of
drive rod 40 thus results in movement of upper frame rail 14
relative to lower frame member 12. This moves the seat assembly
relative to the vehicle.
[0032] Drive nut 50 and bracket 60 contain specific features that
result in improved ease of assembly of the seat adjuster, improved
structural integrity of the joint and low noise.
[0033] Drive nut 50 has a main body with longitudinal axis 51. Main
body 52 has through passage 52 that is preferably a threaded
aperture. Alternatively, passage 52 may be of any suitable
configuration that is consistent with the teaching of the
invention. A pair of ends 54 extend axially along longitudinal axis
51 from main body 52 in opposite directions. The bottom portion of
main body 52 and the entire cross section of each of the ends 54
have a cross section 55 that is preferably circular. Alternatively,
cross section 55 may be any shape consistent with the teachings of
the invention. Main body 52 and each end 54 has two opposite sides
56 that are preferably flattened over its entire axial length.
Alternatively, sides 56 may be partially arcuate. Preferably, drive
nut 50 is made of vibration isolating material such as nylon.
Alternatively, drive nut 50 can be made of any other suitable
thermoplastic or thermostat plastic.
[0034] Bracket 60 is formed in a shape of a pair of transversely
spaced apart legs 62, 66 respectively fixed to the lower frame
member by conventional fastening means including fasteners and
welding. Bracket 60 has first leg 62 and second leg 66, which is
adjacent but spaced away from first leg 62. Bracket 60 is mounted
to a tubular member 15 that is rotatably mounted to frame rail 14
by a U-shaped member 17. Optionally, leg 62 is connected to leg 66
by means of a bridge to form a U-shaped member, which positioned
adjacent to frame member 12 and fastened conventionally thereto.
Seat riser 18 is connected to bracket 60. Leg 62 has a slot 63 at
its free end. Slot 63 has a pair of opposing flattened sides to
form guide portion 64 that extends from its free end to interior
arcuate portion 65. Preferably, slot 63 resembles a key hole shape.
Alternatively, slot 63 may take any form consistent with the
teachings of the invention. The shape of interior arcuate portion
65 is preferably a diameter that is larger than the width of guide
portion 64. Alternatively, the arcuate portion 65 is at least 85%
of the inner surface of the aperture or further alternately the
arcuate portion 65 is at least 90% of the interior surface. Second
leg 66 has an aperture 68 near its free end. Guide portion 64 is
preferably opposing flattened surface but alternatively may be
opposing slightly arcuate shapes or any other opposing shapes that
permit drive nut 50 to pass through slot 63. The interior arcuate
portion 65 defines a plane with a first axis of rotation. Aperture
68 has a second axis of rotation formed on a plan. A transverse
axis 69 extends from the first axis of rotation to the second axis
of rotation.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, and FIGS. 4 and 4a, cross
section 55 of drive nut 50 has a shape that is complimentary with
key slot 63 and aperture 68. The largest width of main body 52 as
measured between opposing sides 56 is sized to permit main body 52
to pass through opposing side of guide portion 64 of slot 63. One
of the ends 54 is sized to fit into aperture 68. When drive nut 50
is inserted into slot 63 and cross section 55 is disposed in
arcuate portion 65 of leg 62, main body 52 is translated on the
transverse axis 69 until one of ends 54 is disposed in aperture 68
of leg 66 and the other of the ends 54 remains disposed in arcuate
portion 65 of leg 62 as shown in progression from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5.
One of the ends 54 has a shoulder portion that is larger in width
than the width of the aperture to limit axial movement toward slot
63. After one of the ends 54 is disposed in arcuate portion 65 and
the other of the ends 54 is disposed in aperture 68, drive nut 50
is rotated 90 degrees as shown in the progression from FIG. 5 to
FIG. 6. When drive nut 50 is rotated, about its longitudinal axis
51 so that circular portion of one end 54 is disposed in aperture
68 of leg 66 and the other circular portion of other end 54 is
disposed in the arcuate portion 65 of leg 62, to prevent
disengagement of lock drive nut 50 out of bracket 60. Furthermore,
the aperture 68 on one of the ends 64 restricts the movement of the
other of the ends 64 out of slot 63.
[0036] With structure of bracket 60, that is with slot 63 extending
inwardly from the free end of first leg 62, and aperture 68 in
alignment with arcuate portion 65, drive nut 50 is assembled with
bracket 60 after drive rod 40 has been engaged with drive nut 50.
The open ends of bracket 60 avoid any obstacle to drive rod 40
during assembly after drive nut 50 has been mounted to bracket 60,
drive rod 50 is further rotated to a position in, which end 42 of
drive rod 40 extends beyond drive nut 50. In this position, removal
of drive nut 50 is prevented.
[0037] In operation, drive nut 50 is moved by motor, 30 which
operates to angularly move bracket 60 from one position to another
but not to permit disengagement from bracket 60 while functioning
as a fore and aft seat adjuster. Thus, the present invention
provides a simple easy to assemble and quiet linkage assembly for
vehicle seats. While the drive nut screw and bracket of the present
invention have been shown in the context of a fore and aft seat
adjuster, it is to be understood that these components can be sued
in other adjuster mechanisms including a vertical seat adjuster,
recliner, etc, where a screw, nut and bracket are used employing
the teachings of the invention.
[0038] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of
certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various
modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are
possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the
invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to
provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with breath to,
which they fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
* * * * *